Additional ballot papers for every polling station-EC

Accra Nov. 19, GNA - The Electoral Commission (EC) said on Wednesday it would add 10 percent ballot papers to every polling station in the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. "This additional ballot papers is to prevent shortage of papers at the polling stations and enable transferred voters to cast their vote, Mr Albert K. Arhin, Director of Elections at the Electoral Commissions made this known at a day's training for journalists in Accra. The workshop which was on the theme: "Safeguarding the integrity of the ballot" sought to educate the media on the processes of elections, the role of journalists, and the need to ensure accurate, transparent, balanced, free and fair reportage to maintain the nation's peace. He said the nation had chalked successes with regards to its electoral process that included the switch from the use of wooden and aluminium ballot boxes to transparent ballot ones sealed to prevent cheating.

Mr Arhin said for the first time in the history of the nation, the EC had formed an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) at the national level, the Regional Inter-Party Advisory Committee (RIPAC) and the District Inter-Party Advisory Committee (DIPAC). He said the basic mandates of these institutions were to serve as advisory body to the EC and also make suggestions on the transformation of some of the electoral processes. Mr Arhin said the Commission had also made know to the public, agencies that were printing the ballot papers and had collaborated with various political party representatives to observe the printing process.

He said as part of measures to prevent double voting, the silicon content of the indelible ink had been increased from 15 to 25 percent. He said, "It was childish for some of the political parties to say that the EC had already rigged the elections, explaining that systems put in place would not permit the Commission to do so." "This fact cannot be substantiated because from the commencement of voting to the count of the last ballot paper, it is in the clear view of the various political party representatives". To enhance the integrity of the elections, the EC had also invited two party representatives each to the control room of the Commission to witness and track the result as it comes from the various constituencies".

Mr Arhin said the Commission recognised the immense contribution of the media towards the organisation of the previous elections but advised professionals to report on only what was pertaining at the polling stations and avoid embellishment and exaggerations in their reportage. 19 Nov. 08